North East

Assam Gears Up for Bodoland Territorial Council Elections on Monday; 316 Candidates in Fray

• 21 Sep 2025

Assam is set to go to the polls for the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections on Monday, with 316 candidates contesting for 40 seats in the autonomous body that governs the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). The elections will be held across five districts — Kokrajhar, Baksa, Chirang, Udalguri, and Tamulpur — under the administration of the BTC.

Polling will take place from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM at 3,359 polling stations. Of these, 187 stations will be staffed entirely by female polling personnel — a move aimed at promoting women’s participation in the electoral process.

According to the Assam State Election Commission, a total of 26,58,153 voters, including 13,34,600 women, are eligible to cast their votes. Polling officials and security personnel have already been deployed, including in remote and sensitive areas, to ensure a smooth and peaceful voting process.

The political atmosphere in the region has been charged, with high-decibel campaigns led by major political players. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has campaigned extensively across all five districts, as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) contests the BTC elections independently for the first time.

The ruling United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL), led by current BTC chief Pramod Boro, is seeking a renewed mandate. The Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), a former ally of the BJP, is also in the fray, aiming to regain lost ground in the region.

Of the 40 seats in the council, 30 are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs), five for non-ST candidates, and five are open to both ST and non-ST aspirants.

Repolling, if required, has been scheduled for September 24. The counting of votes will take place on September 26, and the entire election process is expected to be completed by September 28.